FOR PRESBYTERIES & CONGREGATIONS
This page contains information for Clerks of Sessions, Ruling Elders, Deacons, and Personnel Teams as well as congregational finances, congregational health & vitality, faith formation, communications, and pastoral transitions. Scroll down the page to find the topic you are interested in.
CLERKS OF SESSIONS
Resources
​The Presbytery of South Dakota has put together a set of resources, which includes:
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Information for new clerks
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Guides and resources for day to day work
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Preserving historical documents
Per Capita
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Synod rate for 2024 is $5.50
Statistical Reporting
Information on reporting & frequently asked questions
Book of Order
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Synod Per Capita for 2025 will remain the same, $5.50
RULING ELDERS
Coming Alive in Christ: Training based on the Constitutional Questions
This multi-session resource is created for study by and training of those serving as ruling elders and deacons. Based on the theological principles of the constitutional questions asked and answered in ordination. Leader Guides are provided; one using a monthly format of one question per lesson and the other using a three-lesson format.
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Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Blog
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A monthly series for serving faithfully. Regarding Ruling Elders articles will alternate between a deep dive into the ways ruling elders discern and measure the life of a congregation through the ministry of members and stories about how ruling elders are using their call and gifts as they move about within and beyond the walls of the congregation. Articles could be used for conversation and reflection at Session meetings.
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​Resources for Ministry
Links to resources for ruling elder training, books on ruling elder ministries, polity materials, and other useful tools are available here.
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Presiding at the Lord's Supper
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Leader Formation Webinars
As ruling elders and deacons serving in local congregations across the denomination, webinars give us an opportunity to gather together virtually and in the presence of other leaders who walk alongside us on this formation journey.
Sampling of Topics:
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Leading by Listening: Ruling Elders and Presbyterian Polity
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Reclaiming Our Calling: Deacons & Ruling Elders and the Care of Souls
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Breaking the Myth of Presbyterian Fear of the "E" Word (Evangelism)
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Practicing Inclusion
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Along The Road Podcast
Ministry in the church can be life-giving and life-changing and, in the midst of it, we all need faithful companions along the road. The second season of Along the Road – a podcast on faith and leadership for ministry leaders of the PC(USA) - is available now. Stream episodes on your favorite streaming service or get more information and listen here.
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DEACONS
Coming Alive in Christ: Training based on the Constitutional Questions
This multi-session resource is created for study by and training of those serving as ruling elders and deacons. Based on the theological principles of the constitutional questions asked and answered in ordination. Leader Guides are provided; one using a monthly format of one question per lesson and the other using a three-lesson format.
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Deacon Training videos from the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
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Called to be servants: By caring for persons in need, deacons reflect the heart of Christianity
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Leader Formation Webinars
As ruling elders and deacons serving in local congregations across the denomination, webinars give us an opportunity to gather together virtually and in the presence of other leaders who walk alongside us on this formation journey.
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Reclaiming Our Calling: Deacons & Ruling Elders and the Care of Souls
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CONGREGATIONAL FINANCES
Per Capita
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Synod rate for 2024 is $5.50
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Financial Requirements from the Book of Order
This is a guide published by the Presbytery of New Hope that sets up requirements and recommendations for doing church finances.
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Managing Your Church's Balance Sheet - Webinar by the Presbyterian Foundation
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Resources for Churches - The Presbyterian Foundation
The Presbyterian Foundation partners with congregations to help them gather and steward the funds they need for the mission and ministry God calls them to accomplish.
Your Ministry Relations Officer can coach and consult with your church about annual stewardship, planned giving, and capital campaigns. They also can lead educational and inspirational workshops on stewardship, generosity, and legacy planning.
An online tool that offers a narrative budget builder, templates for brochures and many other tools, all at no charge.
Set your church up with an account that will allow members of your congregation to give to securely your church right through your website.
If your church is reaching the point of considering its future, we can help you discern what to do next. Project Regeneration works with congregations that are ready for a new chapter, such as moving, merging or even closing. We can help your church determine the best path, including selling assets, creating an endowment to fund ministries far into the future or other paths you feel called to take. We have extensive experience with churches all over the United States that have taken these steps, and we can help you.
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CHURCH TREASURERS
The Church Treasurer's Manual
revised edition December 2018 by Edd Breeden
A resource guide that addresses a myriad of issues specifically related to Presbyterian churches.
Breeden also wrote The Church Treasurer's Manual 2020 available for purchase from most booksellers. ISBN 979-8616103109.
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A Checklist of Important Documents for Congregations
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Synod Per Capita for 2025 will remain the same, $5.50
CONGREGATIONAL HEALTH & VITALITY
FAITH FORMATION
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COMMUNICATIONS
Communicators Network PCUSA
​Video series on Copyright Issues in Worship
Five free and discounted digital services for churches
Copyright - to Copy or Not to Copy?
PASTORAL TRANSITIONS
Pastor Nominating Committees
On Calling a Pastor - resource for pastor nominating committees and mid councils.
​Church Leadership Connection - internet-based matching and referral system of the denomination.
The Presbytery of Milwaukee offers a series of resources that cover a transition time from the leaving of a pastoral leader to a variety of temporary contract forms, as well as rituals, guidelines and ethics of such transitions.
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Churches consult with your presbytery's Committee on Ministry before beginning the search process.​